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  • Location
  • West Chicago is an industrial suburb located about 35 miles west of downtown Chicago. Situated near three Illinois highways and a railroad station, this community is a popular place to live among commuters who work throughout the Chicago region.
  • Demographics
  • This suburb has seen consistent growth since its founding in the 1850s, and it is now home to about 27,000 people. Over the past few decades, many Latinx families have settled in West Chicago, and they now compose 53 percent of the population. While these are all positive indicators, 37.5 percent of the population remains low income.
  • Looking back
  • Founded in 1849, West Chicago’s infrastructure was the first Illinois community built for travelers and rail workers. The town’s railroad industry flourished from the 1850s until the 1970s. Even after the decline of the railroads, West Chicago remained an industrial hub and many of its jobs are still in the manufacturing sector today.
  • History of the Neighborhood Network
  • The West Chicago Neighborhood Network was launched in 2014. WeGo Together for Kids serves as the lead community partner. This coalition is working with United Way to identify resources and programs to improve the lives of community residents.

West Chicago Community Vision

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Enhance the health, safety, and well-being of children and families to reach their full potential.

Neighborhood Network in Action

With a coalition of 42 Network partners, six family liaisons, three community mental health clinicians, and six working groups, the West Chicago Neighborhood Network is committed to supporting and enhancing the health, safety, and well-being of children and families through a collaborative, coordinated, and comprehensive approach from West Chicago schools and community.

Select “next” to read more about the development of the Network’s common agenda.

A Common Agenda

The Neighborhood Network’s six working groups have created a Common Agenda that includes:

  • Children and families have access to and the opportunity for continual learning. (Academic Achievement)
  • Community partnerships help families and children, 0-8 years old, build strong relationships through access to play and learning opportunities. (Early Childhood)
  • Families will pursue and continue to improve their physical health and emotional well-being (Youth and Family Health); have a sense of belonging and are informed and invested in building their community (Community Engagement); and are economically stable (Stable Families).
  • Schools and community are aware of and prepared for emergencies. (Emergency Preparedness)

Coalition Highlights

The West Chicago Neighborhood Network has leveraged relationships and partnerships to create a healthier community for children and families.

Select “next” to read more about how the Network’s achievements to date.

Partnerships and Communication

  • The West Chicago Early Childhood Collaboration was reinstated with the Birth-5 Community School Coordinator as the facilitator.
  • Joie Frankovich and Marjory Lewe-Brady’s article, “Achieving Collective Impact: Community School Strategies for a Suburban Environment,”
    which highlights WeGo Together’s work, was published in Children & Schools Journal.
  • An average of 45 individuals attend monthly partnership meeting in support of WeGo Together’s strategies.

Hear from your neighbors and supporters

Ciara Thomas

Community School Coordinator, West Chicago District 33

“Our mission is really to work with the parents to build advocacy skills, to work on leadership opportunities and then find different committees or building bases in the schools or communities where the parents feel empowered and welcome to share their voice at the table.”

Ma. Elena Gonzalez

WeGo Together for Kids leadership training participant; West Chicago mother of two

“What has impacted me the most is to know myself more—to know what I can do and what I can become…. I feel fulfilled as a person. I feel enthusiasm for myself that I managed to make this goal and that I can achieve more and go further.”

Margi Schiemann

Director of Community Affairs, Nicor Gas

“It’s through these partnerships and efforts that we see firsthand the results of the investment we have made and will continue to make in Northern Illinois communities.”
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